Parkinson Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Parkinson Origin:

England

Origins of Parkinson:

The surname of Parkinson derives itself from the personal given name of Peter, and is thus popular among the Christian population. St. Peter was one of the favorite saints of the medieval Catholic church, and thus was popular throughout the country of England. The name of Peter can be translated to mean “rock,” or someone who is “steadfast,” which is derived from the Greek word of “petros,” which can be translated to mean “rock,” or “stone.” One of the modern spellings of this name is Parken, or Parkin, which is where the surname of Parkinson is found. The addition of the suffix of “-son,” denotes that the original bearer of the surname of Parkinson is the “son of the rock,” or “the son of the steadfast one.” The name of Peter, and thus Parken and Perkin, was often used as a nickname in medieval times. It is a common element of surnames throughout Europe that many of them originally derived from nicknames, as it was a very common practice in medieval times. In the beginning, nicknames were applied to people who had distinguishing characteristics, such as moral or mental peculiarities, a similar appearance to a bird or animal, a similar disposition to a bird or animal, occupation of an individual, their habits, or their manner of dress. In the case of the surname of Parkinson, this nickname would have meant that the original bearer was “strong” or “steadfast,” and this name was a name of honor. However, in medieval times, it was also possible that this nickname was used for someone who is exactly the opposite of strong or steadfast, as was common in medieval times.

Variations:

More common variations are: Perkinson, Parkins, Parkin, Perkins, Perkin, Parkyns, Parkyn, Peter

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Parkinson was found in the country of England. One person by the name of Johannes Parkynson was mentioned in the document known as the Poll Tax Rolls of the county of Yorkshire in the year of 1379. This document was ordered, decreed, and written under the reign of one King Richard II, who was known throughout the ages and commonly referred to as “Richard of Bordeaux.” King Richard II ruled from the year of 1378 to the year of 1400. Other mentions of the surname of Parkinson within the country of England include one William Perkysone, who was recorded as living in the area of Warwickshire in the year of 1382, and one Emmot Parkyngson who was recorded as residing in the year of Whitby, Yorkshire in the year of 1540.

United States of America:

Many European citizens migrated to the United States in the early to late 17th century in order to seek out a better life for them and their families. Among those who migrated during this large movement of people, which is commonly referred to as the European Migration, are those who bore the surname of Parkinson. The first person who was recorded to bear the surname of Parkinson within the United States of America was one Dorothie Parkinson, who arrived in the state of Virginia in the year of 1622.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Parkinson: England 18,101; United States 11,971; Australia 5,747; Canada 3,363; New Zealand 1,846; Jamaica 1,713; South Africa 1,699; Scotland 742; Kenya 628; Wales 621; Northern Ireland 513; Ireland 426; France 343; Brazil 334

Notable People:

Mark A. Parkinson, who served as a Member of the Missouri State House of Representatives in the 105th District, and who was elected in the year of 2012, and who is a Republican politician from America.

Joseph M. Parkinson, who served as the Mayor of Rexburg, Idaho in the year of 1949 to the year of 1951, and who was a politician from America.

James A. Parkinson, who served as the Circuit Judge in the state of Michigan in the year of 1904 to the year of 1929, and who was a politician from America.

Henry D. Parkinson, who served as a Candidate for the United States Representative from the state of Kansas in the 5th District in the year of 1948, and who also served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the state of Kansas in the year of 1956, and who was also a Democratic politician from America.

Gaylord Parkinson, who served as the Presidential Elector for the state of California in the year of 1968, and who was a Republican politician from America.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Falsnape, co. Lancaster, 1613). Gu. on a chev. betw. three ostrich feathers ar. as many mullets sa. Crest—A cubit arm vested or, charged with five erm. spots in saltire sa. cuffed ar. the hand ppr. holding an ostrich feather gu.
2) (Kinnersley Castle, co. Hereford). Gu. on a chev. betw. three ostrich feathers erect ar. as many mullets sa. Crest—A cubit arm erect vested erminois cuff ar. holding in the hand ppr. an ostrich feather also erect gu.
3) Gu. on a chev. betw. two ostrich feathers adossé in chief and a saltire couped in base ar. three torteaux. Crest—A griffin’s head erased, holding in the beak a sword ppr.
4) (East Ravendale, co. Lincoln). Gu. on a chev. engr. betw. three ostrich feathers erect ar. a fleur-de-lis az. betw. two pellets. Crest—An antelope trippant ppr. in the mouth two ostrich feathers ar.
5) (granted to Rev. John Posthumus Wilson, M.A., Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, on his marriage with Mary, dau. and heiress of Rev. Dr. Parkinson, of East Ravendale, upon his assuming, by royal licence, the surname of Parkinson). Gu. on a chev. engr. betw. three ostrich feathers erect ar. a fleur-de-lis az. betw. two pellets, a canton or, for distinction. Crest—An antelope trippant ppr. in the mouth two ostrich feathers ar. charged on the shoulder with a pellet for distinction.